I don't think this gets into the category of pump bashing in any way, since
different pumps are suitable for different needs. When supporting
breastfeeding in a NICU setting, one of the most important things we can help
a mother accomplish is to bring in an early and abundant milk supply. In our
center we rent only the hospital grade pumps to mothers separated from their
babies. These are the most effective pumps to establish a supply when infant
cannot go to breast. We've found that it's much easier to "calibrate" the
breasts (I think I'm borrowing this term from Marsha Walker) high than to
increase the supply later on, so we advise early and frequent pumping with
the best pump possible. Sometimes we have to do some fast talking to convince
a mother who has spent $200-$300 for a pump suitable for return to work that
it won't do the trick for her while she's trying to build and maintain a
supply for a premie who won't be nursing for awhile.

Kathy Boggs, RN, IBCLC

At the risk of repeating a subject, I would like to know if there is a =
general consensus re pumps used in hospitals for moms with babies in =
intensive care.  I believe that the M______ Classic is preferred when =
initiating a milk supply without a baby.  If this is the case, are the =
M______Lactinas and A_____elites suitable for these moms for home use?  =
In practice, I see, for the most part, abundant milk supplies.  However, =
another LC told me that the M____ purchase pump is not adequate.  I am =
trying not to get into brand bashing or endorsing, and would just like =
to know, in the way of benchmarking, what other hospital LC's with =
NICU's are doing.  We may be revamping our pump inventory, and a =
proposal has been made to rent the pump to the mom right at bedside from =
the first pumping.  This is where my concern lies, primarily, and I need =
to know whether we would be doing less than the appropriate standard of =
care with the rentals.  Feedback can be by private mail if this is not =
considered Lactnet material.

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